All posts by h716a5.icu

David Willey will miss England’s three-match ODI series against West Indies in the Caribbean next month

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Feb-2017David Willey will miss England’s three-match one-day international series against West Indies in the Caribbean next month.The Yorkshire allrounder had surgery on his left shoulder on Friday to further assess the injury he sustained while bowling in the third ODI against India last month. He has suffered a partial tear of a tendon and will be out of action until April.Willey will be replaced in the England squad by Middlesex seamer Steven Finn, who is currently playing in the Pakistan Super League in the UAE.England fly to the Caribbean next Wednesday, where they play two warm-up matches and three ODIs against West Indies.Willey, lightly used throughout the one-day series against India – bowling over 13 overs in three matches – was only able to manage two overs in the final ODI in Kolkata before leaving the field.He has only completed a full 10-over spell in seven of his 25 ODIs, with his captain, Eoin Morgan, seemingly reluctant to use him beyond his threat swinging the new ball.He remained behind in Kolkata for scans when the rest of the squad travelled to Kanpur for a three-match T20 series, with England Cricket tweeting that “a scan didn’t show up significant damage to his left shoulder”.That initial diagnosis proved to be overly optimistic and he returned home for an operation, the extent of which has now been revealed.Willey’s latest injury also threatens to disrupt his involvement at the start of Yorkshire’s season and will not help him claim a place in the Championship side for a county where Ryan Sidebottom, a fellow left-armer, shows few signs of deterioration at 39 and, at the other end of the age scale, Matt Fisher, if he can shake off the injury worries that have curtailed his involvement in the England Under-19 tour of India, is ambitious to prove himself England’s brightest fast bowling prospect.

Former Celtic forward Frank McAvennie has been reacting to a Hoops transfer update involving former defender Kieran Tierney.

Is Kieran Tierney returning to Celtic?

The Hoops look to be in for a busy summer under new manager Brendan Rodgers, with business already underway. Celtic have confirmed the signing of midfielder Odin Thiago Holm on a five-year deal and the arrival of Melbourne City winger Marco Tilio, also on a five-year deal.

Defensive additions could also be made at Parkhead, with a return to Glasgow for Tierney potentially on the cards. Reports earlier this week suggested that the Hoops could look at a season-long loan deal for the left-back, although a substantial loan fee and a compromise over his £110,000-a-week wage would need to be reached.

Tierney would consider the possibility of returning to Celtic, but he also appears to be attracting interest from Newcastle United.

McAvennie was talking to Football Insider regarding Celtic and a possible move for Tierney. The pundit said that the full-back “loves” Rodgers and a return “would suit everyone”, however, he doesn’t think a move will materialise.

“He loves Brendan but I just think his next move is Newcastle.

“When I came back to Celtic it was not a big thing because I was a supporter. All I can say is that if it was to happen I would not be surprised but I do not think it will. I think Tierney is on the way to the top.”

How many games did Tierney play for Celtic?

As we know, Tierney, been dubbed an ‘absolute baller’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig, is a product of Celtic’s academy and played under Ronny Deila, Neil Lennon, John Kennedy and Rodgers. The 26-year-old made a total of 170 senior appearances for the Hoops, winning 11 major honours before joining Arsenal in 2019.

He made 127 of his Hoops appearances under Rodgers, so if regular football is what Tierney is after, he could well get that at Parkhead under the Northern Irishman once again.

A loan move could be one to keep an eye on in what could be a busy summer with Celtic handing Rodgers a £30m transfer budget this summer.

A wrap of the Central Zone match between Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha at the Inter-State Regional T20 tournament held in Jaipur on February 6, 2017

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Feb-2017Puneet Datey took four wickets while Sohraab Dhaliwal picked up another three to help Madhya Pradesh complete their fifth straight win of the tournament, defeating Vidarbha by eight runs in Jaipur.Chasing 136, Vidarbha lost regular wickets. Ganesh Satish (35) and Ambati Rayudu (30) were the only two to reach 30 while seven other batsmen fell for single-digit scores. At 72 for 3 in the 13th over, Vidarbha could have pushed for the win but with four wickets falling for the next 18 runs – two each to Datey and Dhaliwal – MP regained any lost momentum. Rayudu was eighth out with Vidarbha 25 away from their target and with that went Vidarbha’s search for a win as they folded at the start of the 20th over.Having chosen to bat, MP scored their lowest first-innings total of the tournament. They were kept in check by Lalit Yadav, who took three wickets and only conceded 19 in his four overs. Lalit dismissed both openers, reducing MP to 19 for 2 before a 93-run third wicket partnership between Harpreet Singh (53 off 46 balls) and Parth Sahani (40* off 34) took them past the 100-run mark. Harpreet fell soon after but Sahani carried on to push MP to finish at 135 for 5.

Manchester United have had a slow start to the summer market, but Fabrizio Romano has told fans to keep an eye on one potential signing.

Andre Onana is the latest goalkeeper to be linked with a move to Old Trafford as the uncertainty surrounding whether David De Gea will sign a new contract continues.

Romano states that United have already made contact with Onana’s representatives about a potential reunification with Erik ten Hag, who coached the Cameroon goalkeeper at Ajax.

Who will be goalkeeper at Man Utd?

David de Gea has received plenty of criticism for his performances this season at Old Trafford.

The Spanish keeper’s contract ends this summer, and no news of an agreed new contract has come out.

If De Gea does leave the club, United will have to source a new number one keeper.

What has Fabrizio Romano said about Andre Onana signing for Manchester United?

On his Youtube channel, Romano gave fans an update on Man United's potential search for a new goalkeeper.

Romano said: "There is the possibility for United to keep the De Gea and sign a second goalkeeper to create competition or maybe to sign a new first choice goalkeeper.

"It's also true that Manchester United have explored the conditions of the Andre Onana deal on the player side. So Man United are informed on the situation and Onana has always has a with Erik ten Hag. Inter are looking for around €60m (£51m) for Onana."

Would Onana be a good signing for Man Utd?

Man City boss Pep Guardiola heaped praise on Onana recently ahead of the Champions League final.

Pep branded Onana as Inter’s most important player due to his abilities with his feet, something that could fit well into a system Erik ten Hag wants to play.

Guardiola stated: "For the way they play, with the high press, Onana is an exceptional goalkeeper to take the position to build-up. Really, really good,"

If United want to nail down the signing of Onana, they must act quickly. Premier League rivals Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing the goalkeeper as part of their summer rebuild.

Onana had an excellent season for Inter, conceding just 24 goals in as many games in Serie A last season. If De Gea does leave Old Trafford, he could be a worthy replacement.

Tamil Nadu captain Abhinav Mukund expressed happiness at the manner in which a young seam attack stood up and delivered after his team became the first to enter the semi-final of the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy

Deivarayan Muthu in Visakhapatnam25-Dec-2016Tamil Nadu captain Abhinav Mukund, who was ill, slept through most parts of Saturday, and then woke up to watch his team trample Karnataka in two days. Last December, it was Tamil Nadu who were at the wrong end of a two-day finish and crashed out of the Ranji Trophy. They have turned the tables dramatically this season by becoming the first team to secure a spot in the semi-final.Former Tamil Nadu captain S Badrinath had said last year that wilting under pressure held the side back. The mental make-up of the team seems to have changed for the better in 2016-17 under the guidance of Abhinav and Hrishikesh Kanitkar, the first player from outside the state to be appointed Tamil Nadu coach.They were without R Ashwin and M Vijay, who were both injured, for the quarter-final against a full-strength Karnataka team that had seven players with international experience. Tamil Nadu, though, stepped up under pressure and beat Karnataka for the first time since the 2003-04 season. This was also Tamil Nadu’s first win over Karnataka in a knockout clash in the Ranji Trophy in three attempts.”We have never really focussed on who the opponent is,” Abhinav said. “That is the good thing about this team. It is lack of knowledge or people don’t bother about their opponents and continue doing their own things.”Abhinav took pride in mentoring and shaping a young seam bowling attack, which has adapted impressively to neutral venues. K Vignesh, T Natarajan and Aswin Crist have picked up 94 wickets between them. They were so relentless in Visakhapatnam that Tamil Nadu did not need the services of left-arm spinner Aushik Srinivas in both innings.”It is always heartening when people you pick and mentor are doing great things,” Abhinav said. “I have backed certain number of players this season, and I think they are doing really good things. Someone just said he [K Vignesh] has taken 39 [37] wickets. I don’t know the last time two Tamil Nadu fast bowlers had more than 30 wickets [in a season]. It is really amazing and heartening for me. I have always hoped something like this would happen after [L] Balaji. Touchwood! Hope this continues.”Abhinav also cautioned against getting excited by recent success, as did coach Kanitkar.”No smile on my face yet. There are two more matches to go,” Kanitkar said. “Ideally, I would have liked us to chase 87 without losing a wicket. We need to improve in every area.””Hrishi is one of the best things to have happened to Tamil Nadu,” Ramji Srinivasan, the former India and current Tamil Nadu fitness trainer, said. “His inputs and very sharp and valuable, and he wants excellence and we strive for it.”Kanitkar is no stranger to building a team. After representing Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, he led Rajasthan to back-to-back Ranji titles in 2010-11 and 2011-12 from nowhere.”Huge proportion is from what I learned from Rajasthan,” he said. “There, I was myself learning things, as I was also new to the role and still playing. It’s all about what you say to each player. Those boys taught me how different people need to be told differently.”[In the Tamil Nadu team] Somebody like Dinesh Karthik has a certain way of batting and Abhinav has a certain way of batting. Both are very experienced; Dinesh has slightly more international experience.”Telling them, you have to specific. You don’t need to tell much to Dinesh. You just need to tell him what little bit is needed. Abhi usually discusses more and tries to learn new things. Dinesh knows what works for him, and I am with that. We let him be in his space. The same way, a new player might need extra throw-downs. So I do things accordingly.”The management also rotated players and even dropped B Aparajith, who started the season as the vice-captain, midway through the campaign, after a string of low scores. Kanitkar said that proper communication promoted a healthy environment in the dressing room.”The rotation was only based on the form of players, and the need of the team,” he said. “It wasn’t a set policy. We did just what the team needed.”As a coach, it is very important for me to tell why a player is playing and why he is dropped so that there is no puzzle in his mind and has to work out why he has been dropped… I tell them the reason and make sure they get their chance when they are doing well again. I keep my eye on them. They just don’t disappear from my sight.”

Tottenham Hotspur are seeking to bolster their defence as a first port of call in this newly-opened summer transfer window…

What's the latest on Roger Ibanez to Tottenham Hotspur?

That's according to reports in Italy, as Sportitalia note that Ange Postecoglou has taken a particular interest in AS Roma centre-back Roger Ibanez.

Whilst it is claimed that they are not the sole team to have taken an interest, they are the only ones explicitly mentioned within the report.

A fee of around €40m (£34m) continues to be touted, as the Brazilian defender has just two years remaining on his £32k-per-week deal.

Would Roger Ibanez improve Cristian Romero?

Only five clubs last season conceded more goals than Spurs, three of which got relegated.

For all the defensive security Antonio Conte's appointment promised, it arguably made them weaker than ever at the back. They just could not soak up pressure like his teams of old, and as such just left a threadbare back-line open to wave after wave of attack. Eventually, they were bound to concede a few.

Cristian Romero has been one of the few shining lights since his move to north London in 2021 however, and yet even he struggled to offset the consistent shipping of easy goals last campaign. He still retained an admirable personal year in the league though, maintaining a 6.97 average rating.

However, his peak from the season before even that is a fairer estimation of his talents, and the assets that could fuse so perfectly with Ibanez, should Postecoglou make him his first signing this summer.

The Argentina international would uphold a 7.15 average rating that term in the league, sustained through an 87% pass accuracy, 64% dribble success rate and 2.4 tackles and 3.3 clearances per game, via Sofascore. He was defensively unstoppable and offered plenty with his build-up.

Fortunately for the 25-year-old, who has been both praised and lambasted for his abrasive and rash tendencies, the presence of a stable and calming influence like Ibanez could offer the balance needed to stabilise their otherwise shaky back-line.

Under Jose Mourinho's tutelage last season, the 24-year-old maintained a 7.00 average rating in Serie A alongside an 88% pass accuracy and two interceptions, two tackles and 2.8 clearances per game, via Sofascore.

Such imperious form even led his legendary Portuguese manager to label him as "untouchable".

With a couple of South American stoppers hell-bent on keeping the ball out of their net, the duo could combine to shore up Spurs' defence under Postecoglou with passion, solidity and a touch of quality wrapped into one outstanding pairing.

Chelsea's latest effort to try and secure a deal for Andre Onana could see them offer Inter three players in a swap deal, according to a report from Football Insider.

How good is Andre Onana?

After joining up with Inter for the 2022/23 season, he has burst onto the scene in Italy and established himself quickly as the club's first-choice shot-stopper. He featured in 24 league games for the club and conceded only 24 along the way, although it wasn't enough to help his side to the title. Instead, they had to settle for a third-place finish, although they did reach the Champions League final.

His performances inbetween the sticks have led to him emerging as one of the standout options in his position in Europe. When compared to others in goal amongst the Men's 'Top Five' big leagues for example, he ranks within the top 15% for goals against per 90 (0.95) and is within the top 12% for his save percentage too (76.4%).

With Chelsea struggling to get going in the Premier League this season, they have now turned to Onana as a potential transfer option in goal for them this summer. It seems as though they are that determined to sign him that they are even prepared to lose players to do so.

That's because according to a report from Football Insider, the Blues are prepared to offer Inter three players as part of a transfer deal. Not only would they offer the Italian side £40m but would also be willing to send Kalidou Kouliably, Romelu Lukaku and Trevoh Chalobah to Serie A.

It sees an immediate exit for Lukaku, despite the player having cost the Blues £97.5m. He struggled at Stamford Bridge and spent last season in Italy, and would make a permanent return to the Serie A side if they accept this deal.

Should Chelsea sign Onana?

The Inter man has proven that he can perform on the biggest stage, having helped lead his side to a European final and also having stood out statistically against others in his position. He is a player who has really caught the eye of many in the game recently too, with treble-winning boss Pep Guardiola labelling the goalkeeper as "exceptional" ahead of Man City's clash with Inter for example.

The 27-year-old then would certainly help keep the rest of the Chelsea defence confident with him inbetween the sticks if he did move to Stamford Bridge. Their eagerness to sign him is shown by this latest offer and the Blues will be hoping that will be enough to tempt Inter into letting the player move to England.

The ICC has begun reviewing, of its own volition, footage of Faf du Plessis shining the ball with saliva, with what appears to be a sweet in his mouth at the same time, to check for a breach of its Code of Conduct

Firdose Moonda17-Nov-20161:46

Moonda: Du Plessis incident won’t take shine off win

Faf du Plessis will find out by Sunday if he will face a charge for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct after South Africa’s stand-in captain was shown on camera shining the ball with what appeared to be a sweet in his mouth. ICC CEO David Richardson is expected to take a call over the incident, which took place during the recent Hobart Test.The footage emerged on Wednesday, the day after the conclusion of the match, which South Africa won by an innings and 80 runs to take the series. It was not reported by match officials within the stipulated 18 hours after the game. Instead, the ICC was alerted of the incident through media queries and is now reviewing it of its own volition. It has until Sunday, a stipulated five days after it began reviewing the footage, to make its decision.”The ICC has been alerted to the footage and is currently reviewing the incident from the perspective of it being a possible breach of the ICC Code of Conduct,” an ICC spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo.Although Cricket South Africa has not made an official comment on the matter, it is understood the board is confident du Plessis was acting within the laws of the game. Cricket Australia has also not commented, neither has it registered an official complaint.This is not the first time du Plessis has come under scrutiny. In 2013, five penalty runs were awarded to Pakistan, the ball changed and du Plessis fined 50% of his match fee for rubbing the ball close to the zipper of his trouser pocket during a Test in Dubai. Du Plessis pleaded guilty to the charge and match referee David Boon said he was satisfied that du Plessis’ actions were “not part of a deliberate and/or prolonged attempt to unfairly manipulate the condition of the ball”.Faf du Plessis was previously fined in 2013 for ball-tampering in a Test against Pakistan•Getty ImagesIt is also not the first time South Africa have faced allegations of tampering with the ball, by either opposition or officials. In March 2014, David Warner accused AB de Villiers of scuffing up the ball with his gloves, for which Warner was fined 15% of his match fee. After the Perth Test, Josh Hazlewood said he saw South Africa throwing the ball onto the pitch in order to try and accelerate the deterioration of one side in order to generate reverse-swing. Ahead of the Hobart Test, du Plessis maintained the ball had reversed the same for both teams and said the issue had been “blown out of proportion”. Neither incident was taken up further.Previously, in July 2014, Vernon Philander was fined 75% of his match fee after footage of him digging into the ball with his nail was made available to Jeff Crowe, the match referee in Sri Lanka. Philander accepted his penalty without contest.South Africa were originally scheduled to play a two-day pink-ball practice match over the weekend in Melbourne. Instead, that game has been altered to a one-day match on Saturday, giving them extra time off after their series win and ahead of the final Test, which starts in Adelaide from November 24.

Everton are in the market for a new centre-forward this summer after another disappointing season in the Premier League and now a new update has emerged on the club's pursuit of a potential transfer target.

What's the latest on Everton's interest in Brandon Vazquez?

According to The Athletic, Cinnicinati FC are reluctant to part ways with their star striker this summer and any deal done would likely result in snapping up the services when the MLS season ends.

As per the report, Everton and Hoffenheim are named as potential suitors for Brandon Vazquez, but with another one of their strikers (Brenner) also touted for a move away from the MLS club, the Toffees may be forced to wait until January to bring the centre-forward to Goodison Park.

Would Vazquez be worth the wait for Everton?

It is no secret that Everton found it difficult in front of goal this season due to Richarlison and Anthony Gordon's departure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin continuing to struggle with fitness problems.

The lack of consistent and reliable performers in the final third resulted in the Merseysiders getting caught up in a tight relegation scrap at the bottom of the table and tallying up the second-fewest goals (34) in the entire Premier League.

As a result, the signing of Vazquez would be a massive boost for Sean Dyche as he endeavours to improve the performances, increase goal contributions and lead Everton into a position where they can more comfortably compete.

Over 107 appearances for his current club, the 24-year-old has proven himself to be a "ruthless goal-scoring machine" in the words of journalist Chris Smith.

Indeed, the £3m-rated forward has scored 32 goals and registered 14 assists, averaging a goal contribution every 134 minutes, an output that would be a huge asset to Everton next season and could see him become the perfect Calvert-Lewin heir.

The Toffees striker has been a talisman for the team in the past and been influential when it has mattered most to the club, notably scoring 16 league goals in the 2020/21 campaign. However, over the last 18 months, his constant injury issues have massively hindered his ability to get a run of form going, finding the net just nine times since.

Dyche will surely now be desperate for more consistency in the role to ensure mistakes are not repeated in relying on the striker's return, and their top-flight status won't be compromised again next season, so Vazquez could be the perfect player to succeed the 26-year-old.

Unlike the Premier League, the MLS runs by calendar year so currently Vazquez is playing an integral role in America whilst Europe breaks until August, so it is understandable why Cincinnati would be reluctant to part ways with such a huge asset mid-season.

Having said that, Everton are at a point where they have been riding their luck in the top flight for too long and after only being saved in the final 45 minutes of the season from dropping into the Championship, waiting another six months for a striker could be detrimental.

Set 201 for victory, Victoria reached 0 for 36 at stumps on the third day against South Australia at the MCG

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Nov-2016
ScorecardJon Holland picked up 4 for 25 (file photo)•Getty ImagesVictoria’s Jon Holland and Marcus Stoinis sparked a South Australia collapse that gave the Bushrangers the upper hand on the third day at the MCG. The Redbacks had earned a first-innings advantage but their second-innings capitulation for 162 left Victoria chasing 201 for victory, and by stumps they were already 0 for 36, with Marcus Harris on 19 and Travis Dean on 17.The day had started with Victoria on 6 for 263 in reply to South Australia’s 405, and the lower order rallied to add 104 for the loss of the final four wickets. Although wicketkeeper Sam Harper missed the chance for a maiden first-class century when he was bowled by Adam Zampa for 80, late runs from Scott Boland (30), Holland (28 not out) and Chris Tremain (20) were valuable.South Australia began reasonably well in their second innings and reached 3 for 107 before the collapse – they lost their last seven wickets for 55 runs. Holland turned one sharply in to bowl the left-hander Jake Lehmann for 28 and then he and Stoinis (3 for 45) ran through much of the rest of the order.The South Australia captain Travis Head top scored for the second time in the match, adding 52 to his first-innings 130, before he became the final victim for Holland, who finished with 4 for 25. Callum Ferguson ended his run of single-figure scores but managed only 24 before he was lbw to Stoinis.